Infection Control in Long-Term Care Facilities

Introduction

Infection Control in Long-Term Care Facilities focuses on preventing and managing infections in residential and long-term care settings, where elderly and chronically ill patients are particularly vulnerable. Residents often have multiple comorbidities, prolonged stays, and frequent interactions with healthcare staff, increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

This course emphasizes practical, evidence-based infection prevention strategies tailored to long-term care environments. It equips healthcare teams with the knowledge and skills to protect residents, staff, and visitors while maintaining a safe, high-quality care environment.


Scope

This program covers infection prevention and control practices specific to long-term care facilities, including:

  • Infection risks associated with elderly and chronically ill residents
  • Standard and transmission-based precautions in residential care settings
  • Hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and safe patient interactions
  • Environmental cleaning, disinfection, and shared space management
  • Safe handling of medical devices, catheters, and wound care in long-term care
  • Outbreak management and vaccination strategies
  • Staff education, visitor guidance, and resident engagement in IPC
  • Surveillance, reporting, and monitoring of infections in long-term care
  • Antimicrobial stewardship and prevention of multidrug-resistant organisms
  • Documentation, audits, and compliance with regulatory and quality standards

Objectives

By the end of the program, learners will be able to:

  • Understand infection risks specific to long-term care residents
  • Apply IPC measures integrated into daily care routines
  • Prevent device- and procedure-related infections in long-term care
  • Maintain safe environmental hygiene and shared spaces
  • Detect early signs of infection and escalate care promptly
  • Support outbreak management and vaccination strategies
  • Conduct surveillance, reporting, and quality monitoring
  • Ensure adherence to long-term care IPC protocols and accreditation standards

Who Can Enroll

This program is suitable for:

  • Nurses and caregivers in long-term care facilities
  • Facility administrators and quality managers
  • Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) nurses and officers
  • Physicians overseeing long-term care residents
  • Allied health staff supporting residential care
  • Healthcare trainees involved in geriatric or chronic care services

Study Content from TERRALEAP.COM

Learners receive structured study support through TERRALEAP.COM, including:

  • Expert-led videos on infection prevention in long-term care settings
  • Scenario-based learning covering daily care routines and outbreak management
  • Guided explanations of staff education, resident engagement, and environmental safety
  • Learning resources designed to reinforce safe, consistent infection control practices in long-term care